Effect of VIP on colitis during <i>C</i>. <i>rodentium</i> infection.

A. The total colitis score is the sum of the scores present in A, B, C, D, E, G and H: The goblet cell depletion score (F) was not included, due to the fact that VIP is a mucus secretagogue. (B) crypt architecture, (C) tissue damage, (D) crypt length (the crypt lengths were translated into scores for incorporation into the total colitis score according to the numbers 1–3 on the y-axes), (E) crypt abscesses, (F) goblet cell depletion, (G) neutrophils in lamina propria and (H) infiltration of inflammatory cells. Statistics: data are presented as mean ± S.E.M. (n = 2–7 mice, as indicated by the individual symbols in the graph) and analyzed using ANOVA with Student Newman-Keuls Multiple Comparison post hoc test: * PPP<0.001 vs. control. Of the mice harvested day 14 post infection, one mouse died in the group that was administered VIP day 5–10 and two in the group that were administered VIP day 10–14. Data about dead animals is not included in the graphs, and the group with only two mice remaining (VIP day 10–14) was omitted from the statistical analysis.